[Archived] City of Alexandria Encourages Support for Prettyman Hose Carriage in Competition Among Virginia’s Top 10 Endangered Artifacts

­­For Immediate Release: January 22, 2019

The City of Alexandria encourages the public to vote for the Friendship Firehouse Museum’s 19th-century Prettyman Hose Carriage as it competes for a conservation grant from among Virginia’s Top 10 Endangered Artifacts. Selection by the Virginia Association of Museums (VAM) places the 1858 carriage, used to transport fire hoses, among a highly regarded, diverse group of artifacts. Show your support by voting online through January 31.

The two artifacts that receive the most votes during this crowdsourced competition will be recognized as the People’s Choice Awards and receive conservation grants of $4,000 and $3,000, respectively. This funding is possible through the generous support of the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond and the Blandford Rees Foundation.

“The Prettyman Hose Carriage is an important part of Alexandria’s firefighting history, and we hope this statewide visibility will help us raise the funds to conserve it,” said Gretchen Bulova, director of the City’s Office of Historic Alexandria. “We are very excited to have been selected to participate in the Virginia Association of Museum’s Top 10 Endangered Artifacts program.”

In the 19th century, the use of long fire hoses replaced bucket brigades as a more efficient way to supply fire engines with a steady source of water from wells and cisterns. Special vehicles were created to carry reels of up to 600 feet of hose. Alexandria’s Friendship Fire Company purchased the hose carriage in 1858 from the North Pitt Street shop of coachmaker and Friendship member Robert F. Prettyman. More than just a technological advancement, the hose carriage was also displayed at parades, symbolizing early fire company members’ interest in supporting civic activities.

The Friendship Fire Company was established in 1774 as the first volunteer fire company in Alexandria. The current firehouse was built in 1855, was substantially remodeled in 1871, and was restored by the City of Alexandria in 1992.

For more information, and to vote for the Prettyman Hose Carriage in the VAM competition, visit alexandriava.gov/FriendshipFirehouse.

For media inquiries, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.